ES2782426T3 - Bearing to house a shaft, in particular a rudder sash or rudder blade, electronic device for measuring the bearing play, rudder comprising a bearing to house a rudder shaft or blade, and a method for measuring wear of the rudder a bearing to house a rudder shaft or blade - Google Patents

Abstract

Bearing for supporting a rudder strut (17) or a rudder blade (14) comprising a first bearing element (26) and a second bearing element (28), the first bearing element (26) presenting a bearing surface sliding (27) for sliding contact with the second bearing element (28), and at least one transducer (29) with a wear surface (31) for sliding contact with the second bearing element (28), characterized in that The at least one transducer (29) is not shaped as a spike, because the transducer (29) has a material with electrical conductivity, because the material with electrical conductivity is arranged to measure the wear of the transducer (29) in the surface area wear (31), because the material with electrical conductivity is formed as at least one conductive layer or layer and / or at least one conductive circuit and / or at least one track of the circuit (33, 34), because the transducer (29 ) comprises a uni control unit (35), the control unit (35) being shaped to detect a wear of the transducer (29) by measuring the change in electrical resistance and / or by measuring a short circuit between two layers and / or conductive circuits and / or tracks of the circuit (33, 34) electrically isolated from each other in the non-worn state of the transducer (29).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Bearing to house a shaft, in particular a rudder sash or rudder blade, electronic device for measuring the bearing play, rudder comprising a bearing to house a rudder shaft or blade, and a method for measuring wear of the rudder a bearing to house a rudder shaft or blade

The invention relates to a bearing for housing the shaft or a rudder blade comprising a first bearing element and a second bearing element, the first bearing element having a sliding surface for sliding contact with the second bearing element, and a transducer with a wear surface for sliding contact with the second bearing element. Furthermore, the invention relates to a bearing play measuring device, a rudder comprising a bearing for accommodating the rudder shaft or blade and a method for measuring wear of a bearing for accommodating the rudder shaft or blade.

On large rudders such as those used on container ships, it is known that the rudder shoulder is guided into the rudder blade by means of a rudder rudder, if the rudder is designed as a fully floating rudder. Generally, the rudder shoulder rests on the free end of the rudder nose on a neck bearing, which is disposed between the rudder nose and the rudder shoulder. The slide bearings can alternatively or additionally be placed in other positions between the rudder rudder and the rudder shoulder. Furthermore, a neck bearing or other sliding bearing may also have been arranged between the rudder rudder and the rudder blade, that is, on the outside of the rudder rudder. However, such plain bearings or the like can also be used, for example, to support shafts. Such sliding bearings or the like are used in particular for the propeller shafts of large container ships.

In the course of use, wear on the bearing on the bearing will be reduced, so a very complex bearing replacement must be carried out, in which the rudder blade or propeller must be removed from the rudder or shaft flange of the propeller.

State of the art

In EP 1780 118 B1 a device with an element for measuring the neck bearing play is disclosed to check to what extent the bearing wear has progressed. The device can be inserted into the bearing by means of a cap on the rudder blade, for example by a diver, so that, without removing the rudder blade, the neck bearing play can be measured, and consequently, bearing wear.

A rudder for boats is known from document WO 2011/117301 A1 comprising at least one bearing for accommodating the rudder blade or rudder shoulder in the hull. The bearing has an inner bearing section and a sliding outer bearing section that is adjacent to the inner bearing section. In the outer bearing section or in the inner bearing section, there is a wear pin that slides against the other inner and outer bearing sections. The wear pin is inserted from the outside into a through hole in the outer section and through it so that it slides against the inner bearing section. The wear pin can be removed from the outer side of the outer bearing section.

Document WO 2005/083411 A1 discloses a sensor for the detection of erosion of a wear surface of a component of a machine. The sensor comprises an electrically conductive element that is embedded in the machine component. The conductive element compresses a first end at a first distance from the wear surface, as well as at least one conductive loop that compresses a wear area at a second distance from the wear surface.

DE 21 15506 A1 discloses a monitoring device for worn bearings, for example plastic bearings of heavy roller trains, which triggers an optical and / or acoustic signal by means of one or more stepped contactors, which passes through the bearing from outside to inside, as soon as bearing wear reaches a critical or precalculated value.

From document US 3,775,680 A a device for detecting wear on the surface of a machine element is known. In the material of the machine element there is a sensing element in the form of electrical resistance, the current-carrying cross section of which is reduced as the surface of the machine element wears.

The problem with the prior art mentioned above is that the known wear pin is susceptible to shear forces and therefore there is a risk that the wear pin will be damaged due to shear and friction forces that They occur when the wear pin slides against a section of the inner bearing.

Furthermore, the problem arises that the wear pin arranged in the through bore may have a play, in particular radial, which can lead to the wear pin not being continuously and slippery over time in the inner bearing section, and the wear of a bearing cannot be measured reliably. Furthermore, due to the relatively large dimensions of the through bore, which must accommodate the wear pin, a structural weakening of the outer bearing section can occur.

Presentation of the invention: task, solution, advantages

The invention is based on the task of solving the indicated drawbacks and of providing a bearing to house the shaft, in particular, a rudder shoulder or a rudder blade, by means of which it can be continuously monitored, detected and, where appropriate, documented. bearing play or bearing wear. This task is accomplished by means of the bearing according to the invention for accommodating the shaft, in particular a rudder stern or a rudder blade. Furthermore, the task is fulfilled by means of a bearing play measuring device, as well as by a rudder for a ship and a method for measuring a bearing wear.

According to the invention, a bearing is proposed to house the shaft, namely a rudder sash or a rudder blade, comprising a first bearing element and a second bearing element, the first bearing element having a sliding surface for sliding contact with the second bearing element and at least one transducer with a wear surface for sliding contact with the second bearing element, in which the at least one transducer was not shaped as a pin, in which the transducer presents an electrically conductive material, in which the electrically conductive material for measuring transducer wear is arranged in the area of the wear surface, in which the electrically conductive material was formed at least as a conductive layer or layer and / or at least as a conductive circuit and / or at least as a circuit track, in which the transducer comprises a control unit, in which The control unit was configured to detect a transducer wear by measuring the change in electrical resistance and / or by measuring a short circuit in the non-worn state of the transducer between two layers and / or conductive circuits and / or electrically isolated circuit tracks.

In the shaping according to the invention of the bearing for accommodating the shaft, the bearing was formed as a bearing for a rudder shoulder or a rudder blade. But the bearing for accommodating the shaft may also have been designed as a bearing for a propeller shaft, in particular for a propeller shaft of a watercraft. For the rest, the bearing according to the invention is in principle suitable for any shaft or bearing, in particular a highly loaded shaft or bearing, in which shaft wear or bearing wear can cause play. shaft or throat bearing clearance. In particular, the bearing according to the invention is suitable for any slide bearing in which, in particular, under high loads, wear and therefore an increase in the bearing play may occur. The bearing may have been shaped as a slide bearing, for example as a slide bearing comprising a neck bearing. Furthermore, the bearing may preferably have been shaped as a radial bearing, but the invention is also suitable for an axial bearing or a combined radial and axial bearing. In the sense of the invention, the bearing may therefore have been designed as a plain bearing, neck bearing, radial bearing, axial bearing, combined radial and axial bearing, as well as combinations of the mentioned bearing types with above, as well as any other suitable bearing.

If the bearing according to the invention was shaped to support a rudder sash, the bearing may be arranged in a lower end area of a rudder sash, for example between a lower end area of the rudder sash and a rudder rim . But in addition it is also possible that the bearing according to the invention is arranged in an upper end area of a rudder sash, in particular in an upper end area of a rudder stern located inside a ship's hull. It may have arranged one or more such bearings to accommodate the shaft, in particular a rudder stern, on a shaft, in particular on a rudder stern. Also, the bearings may have been arranged in any suitable position on the rudder sternum. The first bearing element of the bearing was formed with a sliding surface for sliding contact with the second bearing element, the second bearing element being preferably arranged on the shaft, in particular on the rudder shoulder and / or on the propeller shaft, and the first bearing element preferably in a guide element, such as, for example, a rudder wheel or a housing for a propeller shaft. The transducer according to the invention was also formed with a wear surface for sliding contact on the second bearing element. By providing a wear surface of the transducer it is advantageously achieved that the wear of the wear surface of the transducer can represent wear on the bearing or may be related to wear on the bearing. Therefore, wear on the transducer may advantageously indicate wear on the bearing to house the shaft. Wear of the wear surface of the transducer occurs, in particular, due to sliding of the wear surface on the second bearing element.

In the present case, a transducer is also understood as a sensor or a measuring sensor or a measuring device. In particular, the term "transducer" includes any device that can determine a wear of a wear surface of the transducer and, if necessary, can transmit information or data on wear.

A special advantage results when the transducer is not shaped like a spike, whereby a "spike-shaped transducer" is to be understood as a transducer having a cylindrical body and an essentially elongated shape. An elongated design preferably exists if the ratio of the length of the transducer longitudinal axis to the length or extent of the transducer perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is greater than 1.2, preferably greater than 1.5, particularly preferably greater than 2.0. The term "herringbone transducer" can also include a transducer with a polygonal cross section and an essentially elongated design. In particular, by "herringbone transducer" can be understood a transducer with a cylindrical body or a polygonal cross section and an essentially elongated design, in which the wear surface is preferably essentially essentially perpendicular or transverse to the longitudinal axis of the transducer.

Although the new transducer may have a body with a polygonal cross section and an essentially elongated shape, the wear surface is then not on one of the end faces of the transducer or on one of the sides, outer sides or planes that are essentially perpendicular. or transverse to the longitudinal axis of the transducer. In this case, it is preferred that the new transducer is not in the shape of a spike, so that the wear surface is not perpendicular or transverse to the longitudinal axis of the transducer. Preferably, the wear surface of the transducer is essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the transducer. In this case, the wear surface is not arranged on an end face but on a lateral surface parallel to the longitudinal axis of the transducer.

Cylindrical wear pins with a wear surface on one of the front sides of the cylindrical wear pin are known from the state of the art. Known wear pins are arranged such that they enter an outer bearing section and that the longitudinal axis of the wear pin is perpendicular to the inner bearing section. Due to the orientation and shape of the wear pin, it is susceptible to shear forces. Therefore, there is a risk that the wear pin will be damaged due to friction and shear forces that occur when the wear pin makes sliding contact with a section of the inner bearing.

If the new transducer is not herringbone, although it may have an essentially elongated design, but then the wear surface is not essentially perpendicular or transverse to the longitudinal axis of the transducer, but is preferably aligned essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the transducer, then the transducer can be brought into sliding contact in such a way with the wear surface of the second bearing element that the longitudinal axis is not perpendicular to the second bearing element. This reduces the risk of damage to the transducer due to friction and shear forces that occur on the second bearing element as the transducer slides.

By dispensing with the herringbone transducers, it is possible to ensure that the bearing to house the shaft, comprising the transducer, withstands the high loads that occur in particular with a bearing to support a rudder sternum. The non-pin-shaped transducer is preferably firmly connected with the particular first bearing element, and cannot be removed or removed from the first bearing element.

According to the invention, the transducer has an electrically conductive material, the electrically conductive material for measuring transducer wear being arranged in the area of the transducer's wear surface, and the electrically conductive material being shaped as at least a conductive layer or layer and / or at least one conductive circuit and / or at least one track of the circuit.

The advantage of this conformation is that the continuous measurement of the electrical conductivity or resistance or a short circuit of the electrically conductive material allows to determine the wear of the wear surface of the transducer and thus the possible wear of the bearing to hold an axis. Therefore, an automated and error-immune determination, determination or control of wear of a neck bearing is advantageously possible.

Furthermore, according to the invention, it is envisaged that the measurement transducer comprises a control unit, which was shaped to detect the wear of the measurement transducer by measuring the change in electrical resistance and / or by measuring a short circuit between two layers and / or Conductive circuits and / or conductive tracks electrically isolated from one another in the unworn state of the measurement transducer.

The provision of a control unit has the advantage that the measurement of resistance change and / or the measurement of a short circuit can be automated, which leads to an advantageous simplification of the measurement process and makes it less prone to errors.

Advantageous further developments of the invention are indicated in the sub-claims.

Preferably, the wear surface of the transducer is formed in accordance with a section of the outer surface of a cylinder or cone.

A cutout of the outer surface of a cylinder or cone refers to any partial surface, in particular the entire surface of the outer surface of a cylinder or cone. Furthermore, a cutout of the lateral surface of a cylinder or cone is understood as both a cutout from the inside of the lateral surface of a cylinder or cone and a cutout from the outside of the lateral surface of a cylinder or cone, so that, according to the shape of observation, the cutout of the circumferential surface of a cylinder or cone has a convex shape when the cutout of an outer surface of the circumferential surface of a cylinder or cone is observed, or a concave shape when the cutout of the surface is observed inside the circumferential surface of a cylinder or cone. The advantage according to the invention results from the fact that, in the case of a second bearing element, which has a sliding surface complementary to the shape of the transducer wear surface, in which the transducer wear surface can be slid, there is always flush contact between the transducer wear surface and the complementary sliding surface of the second bearing element. Therefore, it is particularly useful that the surface of sliding of the second bearing element, in which the wear surface of the transducer can be arranged for sliding contact, also has the form of a cut-out of the surface of a cylinder or cone, the corresponding imaginary cylinder having essentially the same radius than the corresponding imaginary cylinder on which the shape of the transducer wear surface is based. Due to the conformation according to the invention of the wear surface of the transducer and the constant flush contact of the wear surface of the transducer with the sliding surface of the second bearing element, a continuous recording or determination of the wear of the transducer is possible. transducer and therefore of the bearing to accommodate a shaft, since, due to the flush contact of the transducer wear surface with the sliding surface of the second bearing element, the wear of the transducer wear surface is representative of the bearing wear or is directly related to bearing wear.

Furthermore, it is preferred that a transducer support or a gap is arranged on the sliding surface of the first bearing element, in particular a blind, preferably slotted bore, or a slot or a groove or a step, the at least one transducer disposed in the transducer holder or recess, and wherein the transducer can be placed on the transducer holder and / or removed from the transducer holder exclusively from the side of the sliding surface.

In particular, in a shaping of the transducer support or the gap in the form of an elongated slit or blind hole or groove or as a groove or step, which are preferably provided in the longitudinal direction of the first bearing element on the sliding surface, a transducer with an essentially elongated conformation and a wear surface that is not perpendicular or transverse to the transducer's longitudinal axis, may be arranged or positioned in the transducer holder or recess such that the transducer's longitudinal axis is not perpendicular to the transducer surface. slip and, in the case of a bearing sleeve, not radial to the bearing sleeve. The longitudinal direction or the longitudinal axis of the transducer is then preferably parallel to the longitudinal direction of the bearing element or in the case of a bearing sleeve in the longitudinal direction of the bearing sleeve essentially in the peripheral direction of the bearing sleeve. This reduces the risk of damage to the transducer from friction and shear forces.

Due to the advantageous arrangement of the transducer in the transducer holder or the recess, in particular, and preferably in the form of an elongated slit or blind hole or a groove or a groove or a step, it is possible for the transducer to be embedded in the connecting element. bearing so that the wear surface of the transducer is aligned with the sliding surface of the first bearing element. In particular, the transducer does not protrude from the sliding surface of the first bearing element. This means that when the first bearing element is in flush and sliding contact with the second bearing element, the wear surface of the transducer is also in flush contact with the second bearing element. Furthermore, it is advantageous that by arranging the transducer in a transducer holder or in a recess of the first bearing element, it is not necessary to provide additional supports or bearing or clamping devices for the transducer, thus simplifying the manufacture of the bearing and the transducer. . A blind hole in the shape of a groove or groove or step is particularly advantageous for housing a transducer, which is preferably not in the shape of a pin. Furthermore, the shaping of the transducer holder or gap in the form of a hole or blind groove or groove or step in an elongated shape not only allows to measure wear essentially point by point or in a very localized way, but also allows to measure wear in an extended area determined by the elongated conformation of the transducer mount or the recess or the transducer held in the recess. This ensures greater precision in wear measurement.

Since the transducer can advantageously be placed in the transducer holder and / or can be removed from the transducer holder exclusively from the side of the sliding surface, the problem of the state of the art is solved, due to the fact that the wear pin arranged in the through bore can have a clearance, in particular radial, in the through bore. The transducer in that case is preferably positioned from the side of the sliding surface traversing the sliding surface on the transducer holder and then rests on a bottom or bottom preferably provided on the transducer holder or the gap, in particular, is supported in the radial direction, so that a radial play of the transducer in the bearing element is simply avoided. In particular, when the transducer support or the gap is shaped as a blind hole, groove, groove or step, the blind hole, groove, groove or step has a lower part or a base that is preferably viewed from the direction of the surface. Slide defines the lowest point of the blind hole, groove, groove, or step. The base or the lower part in this case forms a contact surface, in particular radial, for the transducer, so that this, in particular a bearing sleeve, is blocked for movement in the radial direction.

The transducer holder or the gap may preferably be arranged on the sliding surface of the first bearing element in the longitudinal direction or in the transverse or circumferential direction, so that the transducer is also preferably arranged in the longitudinal direction or in the longitudinal direction. transverse or circumferential on the sliding surface of the first bearing element. If the first bearing element is formed as part of a bearing for supporting the rudder strut, in particular as a bearing bush, the longitudinal direction of the bearing element corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the rudder strut when the rudder strut is arranged in the bearing to support the rudder sternum. However, the transducer bracket or transducer hole may also have been arranged in any other suitable orientation in the sliding surface of the first bearing element.

By arranging the transducer or the transducer holder or the recess in the longitudinal direction of the bearing element, a simple manufacture of the transducer is possible, since it is not necessary to adapt the wear surface of the transducer to the curvature of the sliding surface or only a minimal adaptation is required, in particular when the first bearing element was formed as a bearing sleeve. Furthermore, wear of the bearing or the bearing element can also advantageously be detected over a wider measuring range in the longitudinal direction of the bearing element, without requiring additional transducers.

In a preferred configuration of the bearing for accommodating the shaft, the first bearing element is provided such that it is a bearing bush and / or that the first bearing element can be arranged on the inner side, in particular the inner wall, of a rudder rudder rim tube and / or the first bearing element can be arranged on the outer side of the rudder rudder rim tube and / or the second bearing element may be arranged in a stern of the rudder or can be formed as part of a rudder sash and / or the second bearing element can be arranged in a rudder blade and / or the bearing can be arranged between the rudder tube and the rudder sash, and / or that the bearing can be arranged between the limera tube and the rudder blade.

In an advantageous configuration, therefore, the first bearing element can be arranged on the inside of a rudder rim tube, and the second bearing element may be arranged on a rudder flange or it may be formed as part of a rudder sternum. In this advantageous configuration, therefore, the first and second bearing elements form a neck bearing or a radial bearing, which accommodates a rudder flange inside a rudder edge or inside a steering tube. the limera of a limera of the rudder. In this way, an accommodation of a rudder flange is advantageously achieved, preferably in the lower end area of the rudder flange, in a rudder flange, in a position along the rudder flange, in which the greatest forces of force act. shear, torsion and pressure and increased stresses on the rudder sternum, rudder rudder rudder tube or bearing. Due to the advantageous arrangement it is therefore possible to determine a bearing wear, in which there are the highest demands and therefore the highest risk of bearing wear.

Furthermore, it may be advantageous to provide the second bearing element so that it is designed as part of a rudder sternum. Therefore, in this advantageous embodiment it is not necessary to place a separate second bearing element on the rudder strut, but the rudder strut or a section of the rudder strut surface itself forms the second bearing member. By omitting or forming the second bearing element as part of the rudder sash, a simplified design and lower manufacturing and maintenance costs are achieved.

Furthermore, it may be advantageous if the first bearing element can be arranged on the external side of the tube of the rudder rudder wheel and that the second bearing element is arranged on a rudder blade, in particular on the inside of the rudder blade. a rudder blade housing cavity for the rudder edge. This advantageous shape is suitable, in particular, when the rudder blade is supported by a bearing arranged between the rudder blade and the rudder rudder rim tube.

Also in this advantageous configuration, it is possible in principle that the first bearing element is formed as part of the tube of the rudder rudder edge or that the second bearing element is formed as part of the rudder blade.

Furthermore, in principle it is also possible to interchange the functions of the first bearing element and the second bearing element, so that, for example, the first bearing element can be arranged on a rudder sash or can be formed as part of a rudder sternum, ie the first bearing element may be arranged on a rudder blade.

Furthermore, it is also possible for the transducer to have a wear surface for sliding contact with the first bearing element, although a transducer with a wear surface for sliding contact on the second bearing element is preferred.

Preferably, the bearing wear is measured by means of an electronic transducer that does not require any moving component elements. Furthermore, it is preferred that the measurement of the bearing wear can be carried out in the dry condition as well as in the wet condition of the bearing. If the bearing was formed as a bearing for a rudder shoulder or propeller shaft, the bearing wear measurement can also be carried out in the submerged state of the bearing. In the submerged state, the wear surface of the transducer can generally be bathed in water, in particular seawater.

In another suitable conformation it is provided that the electrically conductive material is formed as at least two conductive layers or layers and / or as at least two conductive circuits and / or as at least two circuit tracks, while in a state without transducer wear the at least two conductive layers or layers and / or the at least two conductive circuits and / or the at least two circuit tracks are electrically isolated from each other.

In a wear-free state of the transducer, therefore, there is no connection with electrical conductivity between the at least two circuit tracks and / or conductive circuits and / or conductive layers, so that the electrical conductivity essentially disappears between the at least two layers or between the at least two conductive circuits and / or the at least two circuit tracks or else that the electrical resistance between the two layers is essentially very high. In particular, in a wear-free state, a short circuit between the at least two layers, conductive circuits or circuit tracks cannot be measured. If, therefore, advantageously, no short-circuit or electrical conductivity that essentially disappears between two tracks of the transducer circuit, layers or conductive circuits is advantageously measured, the lack of a short-circuit or the disappearance or the impossibility of measuring the conductivity Electricity between the at least two layers, conductive circuits, or circuit tracks are indicative of a wear-free transducer and thus an indication of a bearing to accommodate the shaft that is either wear-free or only slightly worn. If, on the other hand, there is wear on the transducer wear surface and, therefore, wear on the bearing to accommodate the shaft, in a worn state a short circuit may occur between the at least two layers, conductive circuits or tracks circuit, which can be measured and is indicative of bearing wear or throat bearing play. The measurement of electrical resistance or a short circuit, therefore, constitutes a particularly simple configuration for measuring a bearing wear for accommodating the shaft.

Preferably 2 to 20 conductive layers or layers and / or conductive circuits and / or circuit tracks are provided. With particular preference, 3 to 10 conductive layers or layers and / or conductive circuits and / or circuit tracks are provided.

Therefore, two measurement methods are preferably available for measuring a wear of the wear surface of the transducer. In a first measurement method, the wear of the wear surface can be determined when one or more conductive layers or layers and / or conductive circuits and / or circuit tracks show wear or destruction, that is, these layers, conductive circuits or Circuit tracks no longer exhibit electrical conductivity. Therefore, a sharp increase in electrical resistance shows of one or more layers, conductive circuits or circuit tracks the degree of wear on the wear surface of the transducer. This measurement procedure is suitable for dry bearings. A dry bearing may be present, for example, in a bearing for a rudder stern, when the ship is in dry dock or proceeding without load, so that the bearing is above the water surface.

In a second measurement method, an electrical conductivity or a short circuit is measured between at least two layers, conductive circuits or circuit tracks. This is particularly advantageous because the second measurement method can also be applied to a wet bearing or to the second electrically conductive bearing element, such as a metal rudder sash. If the bearing is in a submerged and thus wet state, the bearing is bathed in water or seawater. In the event that a single layer, a single conductor circuit or track of the circuit shows wear, seawater can continue to establish electrical contact between the ends or front ends of the debris or the connections of the individual layer of the conductive circuit individual or individual track of the circuit. If instead a metal shaft, such as a metal rudder shoulder, makes contact with the transducer wear surface, electrical contact in a worn layer, conductive circuit, or circuit track between the ends or the front ends of the Remnants or connections of each layer, of the individual conductor circuit or of the individual tracks of the circuit, can be established by means of the metallic axis.

In the second measurement method, on the other hand, a drop in the short circuit between different layers, conductive circuits or circuit tracks can only occur in a state of wear, since in the non-worn state the individual conductive layers, conductive circuits or circuit tracks they are electrically isolated from each other.

Therefore, the preferred embodiment offers two complementary measurement methods for measuring a wear on the wear surface of a transducer, with the second measurement method being particularly preferred for measuring a short circuit between two conductive layers, conductive circuits or tracks of the circuit in a wet bearing. Although the two measurement procedures can also be applied simultaneously.

Preferably in a wear-free state of the transducer the at least two conductive layers or layers and / or the at least two conductive circuits and / or the at least two circuit tracks are hermetically insulated from each other and from the environment.

In a particularly advantageous further development, it is provided that the at least two conductive layers or layers and / or conductive circuits and / or circuit tracks have a different distance from the wear surface and / or that the at least two conductive layers or layers and / or the conductive circuits and / or the circuit tracks are arranged adjacent to each other, preferably at a distance of 100 pm to 1000 pm, especially preferably at a distance of 200 pm to 700 pm, preferably in particular at a distance from 400 pm to 600 pm.

Preferably the respective distances of the at least two layers, conductive circuits or circuit tracks from the wear surface are constant at least in an area close to the wear surface or at each point of the conductive circuits, circuit tracks or layers, being that the distances, for example, are determined from the intersection points of an orthogonal of the wear surface with the layers, conductive circuits or tracks of the circuit, but these distances can also oscillate along a conductive layer, a conductive circuit, or a circuit track. Also the difference of the distances of the conductive layers, or the conductive circuits or the tracks of the circuit can be constant or oscillate, determining the difference of the distances, for example, from the points of intersection of an orthogonal of the surface wear with layers, conductive circuits or circuit tracks. But in principle it is also possible that the layers, the conductive circuits or the circuit tracks have the same distance from the wear surface of the transducer. With particular preference, the layers, conductive circuits or circuit tracks at least in an area close to the wear surface are essentially parallel to the wear surface and / or are arranged or oriented parallel to each other. Furthermore, it is preferred that the layers, the conductive circuits or the circuit tracks are adjacent, that is, they lie at least in part on a joint imaginary surface or plane, the surface or plane being preferably oriented parallel to the surface of the wear. Since the wear surface was shaped according to a section of the outer surface of a cylinder, the surface or the plane is preferably also shaped as a section of the outer surface of a cylinder. But, the surface or plane may also not be curved. In this case, other layers, other conductive circuits or other tracks of the circuit can also be at least partially on another surface or plane, the other surface or the other plane being oriented preferably parallel to the wear surface, although presenting another distance with respect to of the wear surface than the first surface or the foreground.

Furthermore, in particular, it is also possible that the conductive layers, circuit tracks or circuits protrude from the wear surface or end directly on the wear surface. The conductive layers, circuit tracks or circuits may also be located at an angle, preferably at a right angle to or extend towards the wear surface. The conductive layers, circuit tracks or circuits can then protrude from the wear surface or end on the wear surface or end close to the wear surface, that is, in an area of the transducer, which is preferably arranged in close proximity. of the wear surface.

It is advantageous, in particular, when the at least two layers, conductor circuits or circuit tracks have different distances from the wear surface, while beyond this it is preferred that the distances are essentially constant. If wear surface wear occurs, layer-by-layer abrasion of the wear surface occurs, until finally the first conductive layer, the first conductive circuit, or the first circuit track are exposed and in contact. direct sliding contact with the second bearing element. When abrasion continues, the first conductive layer, the first conductive circuit or the first track of the circuit is destroyed, which, in particular, in a dry bearing produces a measurable spike in the electrical resistance of the first conductive layer, thus that wear surface wear can be determined. If the abrasion continues afterwards, eventually also the second layer or the other layers, conductive circuits or circuit tracks are exposed on the wear surface and can also be destroyed by continuing wear, whereby advanced wear can then be determined. Furthermore, it is also possible that the position and shape of the layers, conductive circuits or circuit tracks may change as a result of wear on the transducer's wear surface, in particular due to shear forces, such as pressure or voltage, so that these in a state of wear produce an electrical contact between, thus generating a short circuit between the layers, the conductive circuits or the circuit tracks. This is the case in particular when the layers, circuit tracks or conductive circuits are located at an angle, preferably at a right angle, to the wear surface or are extended towards the surface at such an angle.

But it is preferred that the at least two conductive layers or layers and / or conductive circuits and / or circuit tracks are arranged essentially parallel to the wear surface. In this case, due to abrasion, other layers, conductive circuits or circuit tracks are successively exposed on the wear surface, which can also be destroyed by further wear. By means of water, in particular sea water, or by means of a second metallic element of the bearing, a short circuit is produced between different layers, conductive circuits or tracks of the circuit. If such an electrical short-circuit occurs, the wear of the transducer and therefore the bearing can be determined by noting this short-circuit. The more advanced the abrasion of the transducer wear surface, the more layers, conductive circuits or circuit tracks are close to the wear surface, since the respective distance of the layers, circuit tracks or the conductive circuits relative to the wear surface. Therefore, by successively determining short-circuits between different conducting circuit tracks, layers or circuits, in particular between adjacent conducting circuits, layers or circuits or by successively determining electrical resistances oscillating in the circuit tracks, Wear layers or conductive circuits may be required, and in particular the extent of wear of the transducer wear surface. In order to be able to carry out an accurate determination of wear, it is desirable that the layers, conductive circuits or circuit tracks have only a short distance from one another or from the wear surface. Preferably, this distance is in a range from 100 µm to 1000 µm, particularly preferably in a range from 200 µm to 700 mm, particularly preferably in a range from 400 µm to 600 µm. The distance determines the precision of the measurement. If even several conductive layers, conductive circuits or circuit tracks are arranged at least partially on a surface or a plane parallel to the wear surface, a short circuit can be measured between these conductive layers, these conductive circuits or these circuit tracks. In this case, for the measurement of wear, the abrasion cannot be so far advanced that several conductive layers, conductive circuits or circuit tracks have already been destroyed. they have a different distance from the wear surface.

The control unit may comprise, for example, a computing unit, in particular a programmable computing device such as a microprocessor. Thus, the operating mode of the control unit can be defined or the transducer can be defined by suitable programming. For example, it can be determined that the control unit continuously measures electrical resistance or a short circuit between two layers, conductive circuits or tracks of the transducer circuit. However, the measurement can also take place at predetermined intervals. In addition, measurement ranges and tolerances can be defined for the change of electrical resistance or for the measurement of a short circuit. In principle, it is also possible for the transducer control unit to send a measured change in electrical resistance or in the circuit continuously or at predefined intervals to a higher computing unit. In the upper computing unit, the information can then be collected from several transducers, so that, in particular, in the case of transducers distributed on the circumference of a coded rudder or bearing, a precise measurement of the degassing or clearance can be determined. bearing or throat bearing play. More conveniently, the transducer control unit may also have a power source, such as a battery. However, it is preferred that the transducers or the transducer control unit are powered by an external electrical power source. The electrical power source supplies the transducer with an electrical voltage of preferably between 2 V and 10 V, particularly preferably 5 V. Furthermore, the power source is preferably galvanically isolated from the electrical network on board a ship. However, the control unit can also be located outside the transformer. But, without fail the control unit or the higher-level computing unit must be effectively connected for the measurement of an electrical resistance device or a short circuit, whereby the active connection is preferably established through electrically conductive means. Furthermore, it is possible that no control unit is provided and that by means of the upper computing unit the logical interrogation of the layers, conductive circuits or tracks of the circuit with respect to the measurement of an electrical resistance or of a short circuit.

In a special bearing design, it is provided that the electrically conductive material is arranged on a support, in particular a circuit board or a printed circuit board and / or that the electrically conductive material and / or the support in a material non-metallic, in particular, are arranged or molded in a synthetic resin.

The advantageous arrangement of the electrically conductive material on a support or a circuit board or a printed circuit board ensures a fixation in place of the electrically conductive material in a wear-free state, which is only modified by increasing the surface area of the degassed transducer , and thus the support, in particular, of the circuit board or the printed circuit board. This allows an accurate and reliable determination of the wear on the transducer surface. Furthermore, it offers the advantage of arranging the electrically conductive material on the support, in particular on a circuit board or a printed circuit board, which can also be arranged on the support, in particular on the circuit board or the printed circuit board, so that an easily pre-produced transducer measurement unit is provided, consisting of the carrier or either circuit board or printed circuit board, electrically conductive material and control unit. This results in a cost effective manufacturing process. Furthermore, the production of the bearing is simplified, since only the complete unit, consisting of the carrier and electrically conductive material or the control unit, must be arranged in the bearing.

By pouring the electrically conductive material into a non-metallic material, particularly a synthetic resin, the plasticity of the synthetic resin or a non-metallic material during the pouring process can be used to provide a conductor that is adapted to spatial conditions. of the respective bearing. This offers a particularly wide variety of possible applications for the bearing and bearing transducer. Furthermore, a material with electrical conductivity can be melted directly into the non-metallic material or and the synthetic resin, but it is possible that the support, in particular the circuit board or the printed circuit board, can be melted by compressing a material with electrical conductivity. and synthetic resin.

In another preferred embodiment, the first bearing element and / or the second bearing element are provided such that they have a transducer support or a gap, in particular a blind, preferably slotted bore, or a groove or a groove or a step. and that the at least one transducer has been arranged in the transducer support or the gap, the transducer being preferably fixed with a non-metallic material, in particular with a synthetic resin, in the transducer support or the gap.

Due to the advantageous arrangement of the transducer in the recess, the transducer is allowed to be embedded in the bearing element, so that the wear surface of the transducer is flush with the sliding surface of the first bearing element. In particular, the transducer does not protrude from the sliding surface of the first bearing element. This means that when the first bearing element is in flush and sliding contact with the second bearing element, the wear surface of the transducer is also in flush contact with the second bearing element. Furthermore, it is advantageous that, by positioning the transducer in a recess of the first bearing element, it is not necessary to provide additional supports or holding or holding devices for the transducer, thus simplifying the manufacture of the bearing and the transducer. A knockout, groove, chamfer or step, preferably in the form of a slit and blind bore or slot or groove or step, is particularly suitable to accommodate a transducer that is not in the shape of a spike. Furthermore, the shape of the recess in the form of a slotted or elongated blind hole or a slot or step not only makes it possible to measure the wear essentially point by point or in a very localized way, but also allows to measure the wear in a certain extended area determined by the elongated conformation of the recess in relation to the transducer housed in the recess. This ensures greater precision in wear measurement. Fixing the transducer with a non-metallic material, in particular with a synthetic resin, ensures a secure fixation of the transducer within the hole so that it cannot slip out of the hole even when the shaft is removed, for example when the stern is removed from the rudder. In addition, the non-metallic material or the synthetic resin has a lower abrasion resistance than the first carrier element and / or the second carrier element. This ensures that the transducer wear surface is always aligned with the sliding surface of the first and / or second bearing element and that transducer wear surface wear measured by the transducer is an accurate representation of bearing wear or of the rolling elements. However, it is also possible in principle that the abrasion resistance of the synthetic resin or the abrasion resistance of the transducer is equal to, greater or less than the abrasion resistance of the first and / or second bearing element.

Another preferred further development of the bearing is characterized in that in a wall and / or side wall of the transducer support or of the gap, preferably in the lower part and / or the base of the transducer support or of the gap, a through opening was made through of the bearing element, in particular a through hole, and in that a signal conducting element, in particular a power line or cable, of the transducer was led through the opening.

Preferably, the through opening through the bearing element has a diameter between 0.5 mm and 5 cm, particularly preferably between 1 mm and 2 cm, in particular preferably between 5 mm and 1 cm.

The gap or the transducer bracket thus has a diameter greater than the stage opening or hole. The hole or the transducer bracket can also narrow in the direction of the opening, so that the diameter of the hole or the transducer bracket is larger in the plane of the sliding surface of the first bearing element than the diameter of the opening. or the through hole. This ensures that the gap or transducer bracket has a bottom or base that can serve as a contact surface for the transducer to prevent play, especially radial play, of the transducer in the gap. In the case of a tapered gap or a tapered transducer mount, the converging side walls of the gap or transducer mount act as contact surfaces.

Preferably, the recess or the support of the transducer has a depth ranging from 10% to 90% of the thickness of the bearing element, in particular the first bearing element. With particular preference, the recess or the transducer support has a depth ranging from 20% to 70% of the thickness of the bearing element. In particular, the recess or the transducer support preferably has a depth ranging between 30% and 50% of the thickness of the bearing element.

Preferably the signal conductor element is connected to the transducer or to the transducer control unit and is shaped to transmit the measured quantities recorded by the transducer, in particular the measured quantities related to the wear of the transducer. Preferably, the signal conducting element forwards the transducer magnitudes to a higher level computing unit which preferably receives data from several transducers. The signal conducting element is a suitable electrical line or cable through which electrical signals can be conducted in analog or digital form, which the control unit prefers to send to a higher level computing unit. However, in principle, it is also possible that the signal-conducting element is directly connected to the electrically conductive material, that is, to conductive layers or circuits or conductive tracks, and that the computing unit or the control system top level control measure electrical resistance or short circuit of electrically conductive layers, conductive circuits or conductive tracks directly and without intermediate transducer control units. The signal conducting medium can also be connected to a transmitter and / or receiver unit, which transmits the data received from the control unit wirelessly to a higher-level computing unit, or receives data and instructions from a computing unit. level and sends them to the transducer control unit. A means for supplying power to the measurement transducer or the measurement transducer control unit, in particular an electrically conductive wire or cable, may also be passed through the opening. It is preferred that only the signal conducting means and, if necessary, the means for supplying power is led through the opening in a side wall of the gap. In particular, no spike-shaped transducer is guided through the opening.

In a particularly convenient embodiment of the invention the first bearing element realized as a bearing bush is provided, in which the bearing has a segmented ring, in which at least one of the segments of the segmented ring comprises the at least one transducer , and wherein preferably the segmented ring is arranged in a recess extending from the inner side of the bearing bush in a peripheral direction.

The segmented ring preferably has an inner face or surface. At least one segment of the segmented ring, which includes at least one transducer, also has an inner face or surface. The inner face or inner surface of the segment of the segmented ring, comprising at least one transducer, is designed at least partially as a wear surface of the transducer. The segment comprising at least one transducer is also called a sensor segment. By providing the segmented ring and forming at least one of the segments of the segmented ring as a sensor segment, a particularly easy handling of the transducer and the bearing is provided. Segments of the segmented ring that do not include a transducer are also called clamping segments. The clamping segments and the sensor segments preferably alternate around the circumference of the segmented ring. The sensor segments and the clamping segments can be arranged firmly against each other, but it is also possible that the segments are individually inserted into the circumferential recess inside the bearing bushing or arranged in the recess. Furthermore, it is advisable that both the sensor segments and the clamping segments have a similar resistance to abrasion, in particular the same, so that the segmented ring has a similar or identical abrasion behavior on the entire internal face or surface. interior of the segmented ring and a roughly similar or identical amount of material removal under load. Sensor segments and / or clamping segments can be made of bronze or can be made of bronze. However, the sensor segments and / or clamping segments may also contain or consist of other suitable materials, for example synthetic material or synthetic resin.

In a further advantageous bearing design, the bearing bush made in two parts is provided, a first bearing part and a second bearing part being preferably designed as partial bearing shells with a reduced axial length relative to the bearing shell, as long as the In the first part of the bearing and the second part of the bearing, the segmented ring is arranged and preferably the bearing parts in their areas facing each other have a profile, preferably L-shaped, which extends in a peripheral direction, forming the profiles, preferably in a L-shaped, arranged adjacent a gap in which the segmented ring is arranged.

By the preferential arrangement of the segmented ring in the recess, an axial securing of the segmented ring is ensured in the bushing assembly, which consists of a first part of the bearing and a second part of the bearing. The L-profile can preferably be provided by shaping a step or a groove. This advantageous embodiment enables a particularly simple construction of the bearing. Preferably the first part of the bearing can be provided. The segmented ring is then particularly preferably arranged in the L-profile which extends around the first bearing part in the peripheral direction and is watertightly connected to the first bearing part. The second part of the bearing can then be arranged in such a way against the first part of the bearing that the L-profile peripherally surrounding the second part of the bearing is also arranged in the segmented ring. Thereafter also the second part of the bearing is watertightly connected to the peripherally extending ring and the first partial bearing. After carrying out these steps, a continuous one-piece bearing bushing can therefore be achieved having a segmented ring, at least one of the segments having a transducer. The bearing sleeve, which is made up of a first bearing part, the second bearing part and the segmented ring, can then be arranged, for example, a rudder bit in a shaft tube. In order to ensure a firm seat of the bearing bushing in the rudder bit tube, after inserting the bearing bush into the rudder tube, the bearing bush can be fixed. But it is also possible that first only the first part of the bearing is fixed and inserted into the tube of the limera. The segmented ring is then inserted into the tube of the limera in such a way that the segmented ring is housed in the L-profile which surrounds the first part of the bearing in a peripheral direction. For this, the segmented ring can also be attached. Finally, the second part of the bearing is fixed and inserted in such a way into the tube of the limera that the L-shaped profile peripherally surrounding the second part of the bearing is arranged in the segmented ring. After each of these partial stages or after carrying out all these partial stages, the different elements, i.e. the first part of the bearing and the second part of the bearing, as well as the segmented ring, are joined together in a watertight manner. .

The two-part construction of the bearing sleeve is particularly advantageous so that after the segmented ring has been arranged in the perimeter gap on the inner side of the bearing sleeve, the segmented ring comprising the at least one transducer is in a measuring position particularly suitable within the first bearing element or bearing bush.

Alternatively or additionally it is also possible to place a segmented ring comprising at least one segment with a transducer at the end end of the bearing bushing. But the placement of the segmented ring inside the bearing sleeve is more convenient, since at the ends of the bearing sleeve there is often not as much wear as in the bearing itself.

In another aspect, the task on which the invention is based is fulfilled by means of a bearing play measuring device, in particular for measuring the play of a bearing, in particular a neck bearing, of a bearing of the rudder or of a rudder blade, comprising a bearing according to one of the embodiments described above, the bearing play measuring device having been provided to present a computing unit that was shaped for receiving and processing signals and / or information from the at least one transducer.

The bearing play measuring device can also be called a wear measuring device or as a bearing wear measuring device.

Advantageously, the computing unit of the bearing play measuring device was shaped to receive and process signals and / or information from at least two transducers. The computing unit is preferably configured so that, in the event of increased wear, a warning or an indication or a warning is issued. The warning can be issued on an output device and consist of an optical or acoustic warning. The computing unit can also have a storage unit so as to allow continuous or complete documentation of the abrasive wear of the bearing to house the shaft by storing and evaluating the data from the at least one transducer. In another suitable further development, the calculation unit of the bearing play measuring devices is provided so as to send signals and information to at least one transducer. In this way, the calculation unit, for example, by sending a signal to a transducer can cause the transducer to determine the current wear of the bearing play measuring device by measuring an electrical resistance and / or a short circuit. .

If wear of the bearing play measuring device or of the bearing to accommodate the shaft in the output device is indicated, appropriate measures can be taken, such as a replacement of the bearing to accommodate the shaft.

In another aspect, the difficulty on which the invention is based is solved by providing a rudder for a ship comprising a rudder stern and a rudder blade arranged on the rudder stern, the rudder having been provided to comprise a bearing in one of the above-described conformations and / or a bearing clearance measuring device.

In an advantageous further development of the rudder the rudder is provided to have a rudder rudder comprising a rudder tube, in which the bearing is arranged between the rudder tube and the rudder rudder and / or in which the bearing is arranged between the rudder tube and the rudder blade and / or wherein the rudder tube has on the external or internal side a guide element, in particular a gap, a groove or a cable channel, and in that a signal-conducting element, in particular an electricity line or a cable, of the transducer is arranged in the guide element, in such a way that signals and / or information and / or electrical power can be conducted or transmitted between the transducer and a calculation unit.

Due to the advantageous arrangement of the signal conducting element in the guide element, for example in a channel which is arranged on the inner or outer side in the tube of the file, damage to the signal conducting elements is avoided. In particular, it is ensured by installing the signal guiding element in the guide element that when inserting the rudder sash or turning the rudder sash and / or inserting the rudder edge into the ship's hull, no they damage signal conducting elements, particularly cables or power lines.

According to another advantageous conformation, the rudder is characterized in that a spacer is provided preferably shaped as a clamping ring, in which the spacer can preferably be positioned on the inner side of the limera tube, so that damage to the transducer can be avoided. by inserting the rudder rod into the rudder rudder rudder tube.

In another aspect of the invention it is proposed that in a method for measuring a bearing play and / or wear of a bearing for a shaft, that is, for a rudder stern or for a rudder blade, which can performed with a bearing according to one of the previously described embodiments, with a previously described bearing play measuring device, or with a rudder according to one of the above described embodiments, at least one transducer is arranged that does not has a herringbone shape with a control unit and at least two layers and / or conductive circuits and / or circuit tracks of a material with electrical conductivity in a bearing to support a rudder shoulder or rudder blade, the resistance being measured of the at least two layers and / or conductive circuits and / or tracks of the circuit, in which the control unit by measuring the modification of the electrical resistance of at least one of the two layers and / or conductive circuits and / or circuit tracks and / or by measuring a short circuit in the non-worn state of the transducer between two layers and / or conductive circuits and / or circuit tracks electrically isolated from each other, a transducer wear, and a bearing play and / or bearing wear is determined when transducer wear is detected.

The procedure is suitable both for the determination of a bearing clearance as well as a bearing wear. In particular, when bearing play occurs due to bearing wear, the bearing play can be determined by measuring bearing wear.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method, it is proposed that measured values and / or jumps of the measured values of the electrical resistance and / or of a short-circuit are stored and / or prior to placing the transducer in the bearing, preferably by abrasion. from the wear surface of the transducer there is separation of at least one layer and / or a conductive circuit and / or a circuit track of a material with electrical conductivity, and a reference measurement and / or test measurement is performed electrical resistance and / or a short circuit.

It is particularly advantageous that by storing the jumps of the measured values or of the measured values of the electrical resistance or the short-circuit, a complete documentation of the evolution of bearing play and / or bearing wear course to accommodate the shaft, in particular a rudder sprocket. Furthermore, by abrasion of the transducer wear surface there is the advantage that erroneous conclusions can be made when changing the storage conditions from water lubrication and dry. Brief description of the drawings

In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail by means of drawings. These show:

Fig. 1 in a side view the stern of a ship with a bearing to support a rudder stern,

Fig. 2 in a rear view the stern of a ship with a bearing to support a rudder stern,

Fig. 3 in a side view the lower end area of a rudder rudder and a rudder stern with a bearing, Fig. 4 in a cross-sectional view the lower end area of a rudder rudder and a rudder stern with a bearing,

Fig. 5 a transducer with a wear surface,

Fig. 6 in a side view the lower end area of a rudder wheel with a bearing and a transducer,

Fig. 7 in a cross-sectional view the lower end area of a rudder rudder with a bearing and a transducer, Fig. 8 in a side view a rudder rudder with a cable channel,

Fig. 9 in a side view the lower end area of a rudder wheel with a bearing bushing and a segmented ring,

Fig. 10 in a cross-sectional view the lower end area of a rudder wheel with a bearing bushing and a segmented ring,

Fig. 11 a two-part bearing bush with a segmented ring,

Fig. 12 a two-part bearing bush with a segmented ring,

Fig. 13 a one-part bearing bush with a segmented ring,

Fig. 14 a transducer with a wear surface in a worn state,

Fig. 15 a transducer with an elongated shape.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

Figs. 1 and 2 show the stern 10 of a ship 11 comprising a bearing 100 for accommodating a rudder stern in a side view and in a rear view. Viewed in the forward direction, behind a propeller 12 is a rudder 13 comprising a rudder blade 14. In Figure 2 the propeller is sketched by the propeller circle K described by the propeller blades. The rudder blade 14 is disposed on a rudder strut 17 rotatably housed in a tube of the rudder 15 of a rudder blade 16. The rudder strut 17 is deeply inserted into the rudder blade 14. The tube of the rudder rudder 15 of the rudder rudder 16 is fixedly connected to the ship's hull 18. In the vertical direction, the rudder rudder 17 is secured by a support bearing 19 shaped as an axial bearing, above the rudder tube 15. The rudder strut 17 is connected in an upper end area 20 with a rudder servo motor 21. The rudder strut 17 is supported with a neck bearing 23 arranged in a lower end area 22 of the rudder strut 17, at the Rim tube 15 of rudder flange 16. The neck bearing 23, which extends in the peripheral direction of rudder flange 17, is located between the rudder flange 17 and the inner side 24 of the rudder flange 15 of the rudder. rudder wheel 16. If necessary, you can pr or provide another neck bearing to support the upper end area 20 of the rudder sternum 17.

An enlarged representation of the rudder rudder 16 and the lower end area 22 of the rudder rudder 17 is shown in Fig. 3. Between the inner side 24 of the rudder rudder rim 15 tube 16 and the rudder rudder 17 a first bearing element 26 is arranged in the form of a bearing bushing 25. The first bearing element 26 has a sliding surface 27 for sliding contact with a second bearing element 28. The second bearing element 28 in the embodiment shown was formed as part of the rudder sash 17. The transducers 29 are arranged inserted into recesses 30 or transducer supports 30a of the bearing bush 25. The transducers have wear surfaces 31.

Fig. 4 represents a section through the tube of the rudder rudder 15 of the rudder rudder 16 along the cut line AA of Fig. 3. The first bearing element 26 shaped as bearing bush 25, is arranged on the inner side 24 of the rudder rim 16 and with the sliding surface 27 in sliding contact with the rudder shoulder 17. In the peripheral direction of the bearing sleeve 25, transducers 29 are arranged at uniform distances in recesses 30 formed for this purpose in the bearing bush 25. The transducers 29 each have a wear surface 31, by means of which the transducers 29 are arranged in sliding contact with the rudder shoulder 17. The wear surface 31 of each transducer 29 extends coincident or flush with the sliding surface 27 of the bearing bushing 25. In particular, the wear surface 31 does not protrude radially inward beyond the sliding surface 27 of the bearing bushing 25. In the In the depicted embodiment, the transducers 29 are arranged at regular angular distances distributed around the perimeter of the bearing sleeve 25. But other embodiments are also feasible in which the distances are irregular.

Fig. 5 shows a cross section through a transducer 29. The transducer 29 is compact in shape and, in particular, was not elongated or herringbone shaped. The transducer 29 has a circuit board 32 in which a first circuit track 33 and a second circuit track 34 are arranged integrated. However, more than two circuit tracks or loops of the circuit track can also be provided. Furthermore, on the circuit board 32 there is arranged a control unit 35 which was shaped to measure the electrical resistance of the first track of the circuit 33 or of the second track of the circuit 34 and / or to detect a short circuit between the first track of circuit 33 and the second track of circuit 34. The first track of circuit 33 has an approximately square shape and is located in areas at a distance D1 from the wear surface 31 of transducer 29. The second track of circuit 34 also has a approximately square shape and by area it is arranged at a distance D2 from the wear surface 31. The second distance D2 in that case is greater than the first distance D1. Preferably, the difference of the distances D1 and D2 is between 100 pm and 1000 pm and the distance D1 of the first track of the circuit 33 of the wear surface 31 also ranges between 100 pm and 1000 pm. The circuit board 32 comprising a first circuit track 33 and a second circuit track 34, as well as a control unit 35 is molded in a material without electrical conductivity, such as a synthetic resin 36. The transducer control unit 35 29 is connected with a signal line 37 exiting the transducer 29 on the opposite side 38 to the wear surface 31. By means of the signal line 37, the control unit 35 of the transducer 29 can exchange information and data with a computing unit top (not shown here) of bearing 100 to accommodate the shaft or bearing play measuring device 39.

As depicted in Figs. 6 and 7, the gap 30, in which the transducer 29 is housed, was formed as a slot 40 in the form of a slit. The groove 40 is in the form of a blind hole 41, which does not completely pass through the bearing sleeve 25. In the lower part 42 of the blind hole 41 there is a through hole 43. Oriented in the direction of the through hole 43 is a Drill channel 44 in rudder rudder rim 15 tube 16. Signal line 37 of transducer 29 is routed through through bore 43 to the outer side of rudder rudder rim tube 15 16. On the outer side 45 of the rudder edge 16 there is arranged at least one cable box 46 in which at least one of the signal lines 37 of the transducer 29 is routed. In the cable box 46 the lines of control can be grouped. signals 37 and continue to be conducted in a guide element formed as a cable channel 47. The transducer 29 can only be inserted and / or removed from the side of the sliding surface 27 in the first bearing element 26 or in the bearing bush te 25. The lower part 42 of the blind hole 41 prevents a play of the transducer 29 in the radial direction of the bearing sleeve 25. To do this, the transducer 29 makes contact against the lower part 42 of the blind hole 41 formed as a contact surface .

The cable channel 47 extends, as shown in Fig. 8, from the outer side of the tube of the rudder rudder 15 of the rudder rudder 16 in a vertical direction to the section of the upper end area 20 of the rudder rudder 17. In addition, Of the signal lines 37, the cable channel 47 passes electricity lines 48 to supply power to the transducer 29 and in particular, to the control unit 35 arranged in the transducer 29. The rudder limb 16 is firmly welded to the hull of the ship 18. In the area of connection of the hull of the ship 18 with the tube of the rudder rudder 15 of the rudder rudder 16 is provided a hull bore 49, through which the cable channel 47 is led into the hull of the boat 18 The interspace between the bore of the hull 49 and the cable channel 47 is hermetically sealed.

Referring to Figures 4, 5 and 14, the operation of the bearing play measurement device 39 is now described. The transducer 29 meets the wear surface 31 in sliding contact with the rudder strut 17. The strut surface of the rudder 17 in that case constitutes the second bearing element 28. Due to abrasive wear, caused by the rotation of the rudder sash 17, that is, by the deflections of the rudder 13, it is removed by abrasion layer by layer of the surface 31 of the transducer 29. As soon as a layer of a thickness corresponding to the first distance D1 from the wear surface 31 has been abraded away, the first track of the circuit 33 is exposed, that is, the first track of the Circuit 33 is on wear surface 31. As wear continues, the first track of Circuit 33 is abraded and interrupted. As soon as the first track of the circuit 33 is interrupted, the control unit 35 detects a sudden increase in electrical resistance on the circuit board 32 of the first transducer 29 of a dry bearing. With further wear, other layers of synthetic resin 36 of transducer 29 are abraded to a layer thickness corresponding to the second distance D2, after which the second track of circuit 34 is also exposed, that is to say, it is located on the wear surface 31. With further additional wear, finally the second track of the circuit 34 is also interrupted by abrasion and by means of the control unit 35 a sudden increase in the electrical resistance of the second track of the circuit 34. In a dry bearing 23, these jumps in electrical resistance can also be evaluated as measurement values for abrasive wear of the transducer 29 and consequently for wear of the bearing sleeve 25. Yes, in change, is A water-lubricated bearing 23 is arranged, due to the conductivity of seawater a cut of the first track of circuit 33 or of the second track of circuit 34 cannot be accurately measured, since seawater with electrical conductivity takes over transmitting the electric current instead of the first track of circuit 33 and the second track of circuit 34.

For this, the control unit 35 was configured to detect a short circuit between the first track of the circuit 33 and the second track of the circuit 34. If a layer thickness equivalent to the second distance D2 was abraded on the wear surface 31 , exposing parts of the first track of circuit 33 and of the second track of circuit 34, the final areas 50, 51 of the tracks of circuit 33, 34 establish an electrical contact with each other, either due to direct contact or This is caused by the electrically conductive water wetting the wear surface 31, and causing a short circuit between the first track of the circuit 33 and the second track of the circuit 34. This short circuit can be detected without a doubt by the control unit 35 and the Measured value is transmitted as measured quantity via signal line 37 to a higher calculation unit which determines the wear of the transducer on the basis of the measured values 29 and therefore bearing 23.

In this regard, the case in which the wear surface 31 of the transducer 29 was reduced so much by abrasive wear was represented in Fig. 14 that the first track of the circuit 33 and the second track of the circuit 34 are uncovered, that is, they were separated by friction. In other words, the wear surface 31 due to wear, receded so much in the radial direction outward in the direction of the control unit 35 to about the layer thickness according to the second distance D2, that the two end areas 50 , 51 of the first track of the circuit 33 and of the second track of the circuit 34 lie on the wear surface 31, that is, delimited against the wear surface 31 or protrude from the wear surface 31, so that the areas ends 50, 51 in the case of a water-lubricated bearing has contact at least in part with the seawater that moistens the wear surface 31. Due to the electrical conductivity of the seawater, a short circuit occurs between the end areas 50 , 51 of the first track of the circuit 33 and of the second track of the circuit 34 that can be detected by the control unit 35.

An alternative embodiment of the bearing play measuring device 39 is depicted in Figures 9 and 10. The bearing play measuring device 39 has a segmented ring 52 which is composed of several ring segments 53. A ring segment 53 was formed as a sensor segment 54 and comprises a transducer 29. The segmented ring 52 is arranged in the bearing sleeve 25 in a groove 55 which surrounds it in the peripheral direction. To secure the sensor segment 54, clamping segments 56 were provided on the segmented ring 52 which together with the sensor segments 54 complete the segmented ring 52.

Figures 11 and 12 show how the segmented ring 52 is attached to the bearing sleeve 25. The bearing sleeve 25 for this purpose was made in two parts and has a first bearing portion 57 as well as a second portion. bearing 58. The first bearing portion 57 and the second bearing portion 58 each have, in their mutually facing areas, an L-shaped profile 59 that surrounds in the peripheral direction, which form a first bearing portion 57 and a second part of the bearing 58 arranged successively, an annular groove 55 which surrounds the bearing bush 25 in the peripheral direction. The segmented ring 52 is arranged in the L-profile 59 of the first part of the bearing 57 and is connected therewith in a watertight manner. Thereafter, the second part of the bearing 58 is arranged against the first part of the bearing 57 so that the segmented ring 52 is arranged in the L-profile 59 of the second part of the bearing 58. By this arrangement of the first and second bearing part 57, 58 the L-profiles 59 of the first bearing part 57 and of the second bearing part 58 together form a groove 55 which surrounds the bearing bush 25 in the peripheral direction, in which the segmented ring is arranged 52 comprising sensor segments 54 and clamping segments 56. Bearing bush 25 may be arranged, for example, by attachment to rudder rim 16.

Figure 13 shows another embodiment of the device for measuring the play of the bearing 39. In the embodiment shown, the bearing bushing 25 was formed in one piece and has at the end end an L-shaped profile 59 that surrounds it in the peripheral direction and in the which may have been arranged the segmented ring 52. In this embodiment, the segmented ring 52 is located, comprising the transducer 29 above or below the bearing bushing 25 and not in the center in the bearing bushing 25, viewed in the axial direction .

Fig. 15 shows a transducer 29 with an essentially elongated shape. The wear surface 31 of the transducer 29 is not disposed on one of the front sides 60, that is, not on one of the sides, outer sides, or planes that lie perpendicular to the direction R of the elongated shape. In the conformation of the transducer 29 according to Fig. 15 it is especially suitable to be placed or placed in a transducer support 30a or a recess 30 in the form of a slotted or elongated blind hole 41 or a slot 40 or groove or step, which preferably are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the first bearing element 26 on the sliding surface 27. The front sides 60 of the transducer 29 have a rounded course with radius of curvature R1. The radius of curvature can preferably be between 2 and 20 mm, particularly preferably between 5 and 10 mm. The length L of the transducer 29 in the R direction of the elongated shape between the rounded front sides 60 is preferably between 20 and 40 mm, more preferably approximately 30 mm. The transducer 29 of Fig. 15 is otherwise identical to the transducers described above and in particular, it can also be used in any of the devices shown in Figures 2 to 14.

List of references

100 bearing to hold a shaft

10 aft

11 ship

12 propellers

13 rudder

14 rudder blade

15 limera tube

16 rudder limera

17 helm shoulder

18 boat hull

19 support bearing

20 upper end area

21 rudder servomotor

22 lower end area

23 neck bearing

24 inner side of rudder edge

25 bearing bush

26 first bearing element

27 sliding surface

28 second bearing element

29 transducer

30 hole

30a transducer bracket

31 wear surface

32 circuit board

33 first clue

34 second track

35 control unit

36 synthetic resin

37 signal line

38 side opposite to wear surface 39 bearing play measuring device 40 groove

41 blind drilling

42 bottom

43 through hole

44 drill channel

45 outer surface

46 cable box

47 cable channel

48 power line

49 hull piercing

50 first final area

51 second final area

52 segmented ring

53 ring segment

54 sensor segment

55 slot

56 clamping segment

57 first part of bearing

58 second part of bearing

59 L-shaped profile

60 front side

K circle of propellers

D1 first distance

D2 second distance

R direction of elongated conformation R1 radius of curvature

L length

Claims (14)

1 . Bearing for supporting a rudder strut (17) or a rudder blade (14) comprising a first bearing element (26) and a second bearing element (28), the first bearing element (26) presenting a bearing surface sliding (27) for sliding contact with the second bearing element (28), and at least one transducer (29) with a wear surface (31) for sliding contact with the second bearing element (28), characterized in that The at least one transducer (29) is not shaped as a spike, because the transducer (29) has a material with electrical conductivity, because the material with electrical conductivity is arranged to measure the wear of the transducer (29) in the surface area wear (31), because the material with electrical conductivity is formed as at least one conductive layer or layer and / or at least one conductive circuit and / or at least one track of the circuit (33, 34), because the transducer (29 ) comprises a uni control unit (35), the control unit (35) being shaped to detect wear on the transducer (29) by measuring the change in electrical resistance and / or by measuring a short circuit between two layers and / or conductive circuits and / or circuit tracks (33, 34) electrically isolated from each other in the non-worn state of the transducer (29). 2 . Bearing according to claim 1, characterized in that the wear surface (31) of the transducer (29) is shaped according to a cutout of the outer surface of a cylinder or a cone. 3 . Bearing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a transducer carrier (30a) or a gap (30), in particular a blind hole, is arranged on the sliding surface (27) of the first bearing element (26) (41), preferably slotted, or a slot (40) or a groove or a step, because the at least one transducer (29) is arranged in the transducer support (30a) or the gap (30), and because the transducer (29) can be placed in the transducer holder (30a) and / or removed from the transducer holder (30a) exclusively from the side of the sliding surface (27). 4 . Bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first bearing element (26) is a bearing bush (25) and / or that the first bearing element (26) can be arranged on the inner side (24), in particular, the inner wall of a rudder tube (15) of a rudder rudder (16) and / or because the first bearing element (26) can be arranged on the external side of the rudder tube (15) of the rudder rudder (16) and / or because the second bearing element (28) may be arranged in a rudder sash (17) or it can be formed as part of a rudder sash (17), and / or because the second bearing element (28) can be arranged in a rudder blade (14) of a rudder (13) and / or because the bearing can be arranged between the tube of the limera (15) and the rudder flange (17) and / or because the bearing can be arranged between the limera tube (15) and the rudder blade (14). 5 . Bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrically conductive material is formed as at least one conductive layer or layer and / or at least one conductive circuit and / or at least one circuit track (33, 34), wherein in a non-wear state of the transducer (29) the at least two conductive layers or layers and / or the at least two conductive circuits and / or the at least two circuit tracks (33, 34) are electrically isolated from each other , wherein preferably the at least two conductive layers or layers and / or conductive circuits and / or circuit tracks (33, 34) have a different distance (D1, D2) from the wear surface (31) and / or in wherein preferably the at least two conductive layers or layers and / or conductive circuits and / or circuit tracks (33, 34) are arranged adjacent to each other, preferably at a distance (D1, D2) of 100 pm to 1000 pm. 6. Bearing according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical conductivity material is provided on a support, in particular a circuit board (32) or a printed circuit board, and / or because the material with electrical conductivity and / or the support are arranged or molded in a non-metallic material, in particular, in a synthetic resin (36). 7 . Bearing according to one of Claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the transducer (29) is fixed with a non-metallic material, in particular with a synthetic resin (36), to the transducer support (30a) or to the gap (30 ). 8. The bearing according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that on a wall and / or a side wall of the support the transducer (30a) or the gap (30), preferably at the bottom (42) and / or the base of the transducer support (30a) or of the gap (30) a through opening is made through the first and / or the second bearing element (26, 28), in particular, a through hole (43), and because A signal conducting element, in particular a power line or cable, is conducted from the transducer (29) through the aperture. 9. Bearing play measuring device (39), in particular for measuring the play of a bearing, in particular a neck bearing (23), a rudder sash (17) or a rudder blade (14 ), comprising a bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing play measuring device (39) has a calculation unit that is designed to receive and to process signals and / or information from the at least one transducer (29). 10 . Rudder (13) for a ship comprising a rudder sash (17) and a rudder blade (14) arranged on the rudder sash (17), characterized in that the rudder (13) comprises a bearing according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and / or a bearing play measurement device (39) according to claim 9. 11. Rudder (13) according to claim 10, characterized in that the drawbar (13) has a rudder trunk of the rudder (16) comprising a tube rudder (15), that the bearing is arranged between the tube rudder (15) and the rudder sash (17) and / or because the bearing is arranged between the rudder tube (15) and the rudder blade (14) and / or because the rudder tube (15) presents in the external or internal sides a guide element, in particular a gap (30), a groove (40) or a cable channel (47) and because a signal conducting element is arranged, in particular a power line or a cable , of the transducer (29) on the guide element such that signals and / or information can be conducted or transmitted between the transducer (29) and a computing unit. 12 . Rudder (13) according to claim 11, characterized in that a spacer is provided, preferably shaped as clamping rings, in that the spacer can preferably be positioned on the inner side (24) of the file tube, so that damage can be avoided of the transducer (29) when inserting the rudder flange (17) into the tube of the rudder bracket (15) of the rudder bracket (16). 13. Method for measuring a bearing play and / or a bearing wear for a rudder sash (17) or for a rudder blade (14) which can be carried out with a bearing according to one of claims 1 to 8, with a bearing play measurement device (39) according to claim 9 or with a rudder (13) according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that at least one transducer (29) that does not It has a herringbone shape, with a control unit (35) and at least two layers and / or conductive circuits and / or circuit tracks (33, 34) of a material with electrical conductivity are arranged in a bearing to support a bearing of the rudder (17) or a rudder blade (14), because the electrical resistance of the at least two layers and / or conductive circuits and / or tracks of the circuit (33, 34) is measured, where the control unit (35 ) by measuring the change in electrical resistance of at least one of the two caps as and / or conductive circuits and / or circuit tracks and / or by measuring a short circuit between two layers and / or conductive circuits and / or circuit tracks (33, 34) electrically isolated from each other, in the non-worn state of the transducer (29) detects a wear of the transducer (29), and because a bearing play and / or a wear of the bearing is detected, when a wear of the transducer (29) is detected. 14 . Method according to claim 13, characterized in that measured values and / or jumps of the measured values of the electrical resistance and / or of a short-circuit are stored and / or that prior to the positioning of the transducer (29) in the bearing preferably by abrasion of the wear surface (31) of the transducer (29) at least one layer and / or a conductive circuit and / or a circuit track (33, 34) of a material with electrical conductivity and because a reference measurement and / or a test measurement of electrical resistance and / or a short circuit is performed.